The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has criticised Budget 2025, arguing that it falls short in addressing the realities young people are facing across the country. The organisation said the Government has underestimated the scale of the pressures created by the housing crisis, rising living costs and limited access to youth services.
According to the NYCI, Budget 2025 offered no meaningful response to these issues and reflects a wider disconnect between policymakers and younger generations. The group is also urging the Government to strengthen youth representation in national decision-making to ensure younger voices are heard on policies that affect them.
To better understand current attitudes, the NYCI commissioned RED C to conduct national research on the challenges facing young people. The findings suggest growing public concern about deteriorating conditions for younger generations.
Housing and Cost of Living Remain the Dominant Pressures
The poll found that 82 percent of respondents believe the housing crisis is hitting young people hardest, making it increasingly difficult for them to secure accommodation or live independently. The majority also rejected the idea that life for young people today is easier than in previous decades.
Rising living costs were also highlighted as a major concern, with the NYCI arguing that Budget 2025 did not go far enough to provide targeted support.
Youth Services Underfunded and Unevenly Available
Access to youth work services emerged as a significant problem. Nearly half of young people under 24 rated the availability of such services in their area as poor, compared with just over a third who said access was good. A further 72 percent of adults felt that politicians lacked awareness of the challenges facing youth work providers.
Mental health remains another area of concern, with 58 percent of people surveyed stating that services are not adequate to meet current needs.
Demand for Stronger Youth Representation
The research revealed broad support for greater youth involvement in shaping public policy. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed believe more young people should be represented in the Dáil, while 91 percent of young people themselves said they wanted their voices heard more directly in national policymaking.
Recent Government Initiatives
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth recently launched a Youth Service Pilot Project, which provides grants starting from €125,000 and up to €437,500. The funding is intended to support accessible, high-quality youth services across the country. However, the NYCI maintains that a broader and more sustained investment is required.
